Scammer posing as cop extorts money in bitcoins, Google Play cards

On February 4, 2020 at approximately 11:00 AM, Whistler RCMP were advised that a victim had been defrauded of thousands of dollars.

The victim received a call from a 1 800 number falsely advising that a social insurance number had been compromised and someone was committing criminal acts using their name and number. The victim was advised that they would need to speak to a police officer for further direction and was transferred to someone who falsely identified themselves as a police officer.

The transfer number was masked and showed the Whistler RCMP as the caller. The impersonating police officer repeated the victims address to them and advised that they would be arrested in the afternoon unless they complied with directions.

The victim was instructed that in order to avoid arrest they should deposit a substantial amount of money into a local area Bitcoin machine using a provided QR code they received as part of the deposit process. Further, they were instructed to purchase Google Play gift cards, identify the security number on the back of the cards and provide them to the caller.

This type of call with the Whistler RCMP name appearing in the call display was brought to the RCMP’s attention in October of last year and police continue to investigate.

The RCMP will never demand anyone pay Bitcoin or purchase gift cards to deal with a police matter.

If you are ever contacted by someone claiming to be a police officer and you have any doubt as to the truthfulness of that caller, RCMP advise that you call the police yourself — hang up and call the police detachment and ask to speak to the officer in question.